Caprylic Acid

Caprylic Acid is a medium-chain fatty acid typically sourced from coconut or palm kernel oils. It's used as an emollient and solvent to improve slip, adjust texture, and disperse oil-soluble ingredients in skincare, haircare, and makeup.
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Ingredient Snapshot

Overview
A coconut-derived fatty acid that softens and smooths skin.
Category
Skin Conditioning
Type
Emollient

Ingredient Ratings

Overall Rating

Good

Comedogenic Risk

None

Skin Benefits

Softens and smooths skin feel while adding slip for easier application, and aids in dissolving oil-based constituents for more uniform coverage.

Uses In Skincare & Cosmetics

Used in facial oils, balms, and makeup removers to improve glide and comfort, and also found in hair conditioners and styling creams for light emolliency.

Comedogenic Rating

This ingredient has a comedogenic rating of 0. It is considered non-comedogenic and has little to no likelihood of clogging pores.

Safety

Generally safe as used in diluted cosmetics, but undiluted or higher levels may sting or irritate sensitive skin. Patch testing can be helpful for reactive individuals.

Is Caprylic Acid a Good Ingredient?

It provides light emolliency and solvent action that improves spread and dispersion, which earns a Good rating, though evidence for direct skin-repair benefits is limited; at higher concentrations it can be irritating, which tempers the rating.

Products with Caprylic Acid

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